1,700 m² of floor space, 1.2 MW of power and a target PUE of 1.2 Located in Marseille, as close as possible to where the subsea cables land Tier III-compliant facility combining reliability, energy efficiency and support for the local economy
Rueil-Malmaison, March 7, 2024: Schneider Electric, a leader in digital transformation, energy management and automation, has been chosen by PHOCEA DC to design and build its first data center in Marseille.
PHOCEA DC is a new player in the data center world. Convinced that it is possible to offer an alternative to the major global players in response to the explosion in data-related needs, Damien Desanti founded PHOCEA DC in 2023. An industry professional, he believes in the appeal of local, sovereign, sustainable data centers that contribute to the local economy.
Geographic opportunities
Located where the subsea cables land, Marseille ranks among the world's top 10 internet hubs: a prime geographic location and a dynamic market. Damien Desanti set his sights on a former building in need of rehabilitation. There, he is installing a state-of-the-art data center that is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Technical studies validated the target PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.2. Design studies were carried out to meet upcoming regulatory sustainability targets. Taking the most efficient technologies into account ensures the project's feasibility and makes it possible to integrate the data center into an urban environment, as close as possible to where it is used.
The site's characteristics are a constraint to be turned into an opportunity. The data center will have to be fully optimized in terms of density, technical solutions, soundproofing and energy efficiency. The best solutions were therefore chosen to achieve this. "The targeted performance is made possible by the latest innovations, by latest-generation equipment with maximum efficiency, and by our approach of rehabilitating a property that was no longer being put to use," explains Damien Desanti.
Committed choices
To meet this challenge, design and construction were entrusted to Schneider Electric. "I chose Schneider Electric for its expertise, its ability to manage the entire project, its reliability, its technical skills and the innovation of its products," says the founder and CEO of PHOCEA DC.
"We are acting under a design-build contract and integrating the most efficient, groundbreaking and appropriate solutions: UPSs with over 99% efficiency, ultra-compact batteries with a low carbon footprint, free cooling, all supervised by Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Building Operation, an interoperable and cybersecure solution," explains Alain Domestici, National Account Manager Data Centers at Schneider Electric France.
To optimize the physical layout, the team came up with unconventional answers that lower the data center's carbon footprint, a top-priority criterion. The result: a sovereign, eco-responsible, optimized, high-performance data center in the heart of Marseille, serving local authorities and local businesses.
A configuration for the future
The investors and suppliers are French. As for its customer base, PHOCEA DC also targets local players: local authorities and businesses from Marseille, from the region and from France more broadly. "Data sovereignty is a major asset that many French companies and public administrations have now come to recognize," emphasizes Damien Desanti.
The building is being renovated. The first customers are expected before the end of 2024.
"The configuration of this first data center allows for a measured approach suited to an urban area. PHOCEA DC should benefit from organic, controlled growth. In short, we are proceeding in a controlled, thoughtful way, with a focus on energy efficiency," says Damien Desanti.
"Given the growth challenges facing our industry and customers' diverse needs, local data centers are part of the solution for the future. They complement the sites of the major players. Schneider Electric is delighted to support PHOCEA DC in its development, with a data center that will meet growing digital demand while ensuring the highest environmental standards," concludes Hélène Macela-Gouin, Vice President Secure Power at Schneider Electric France.
*PUE: an energy efficiency indicator corresponding to the ratio between the total energy consumed by the entire site and the portion actually consumed by the IT systems
About PHOCEA DC
PHOCEA DC is a sovereign provider of eco-responsible data centers based in Marseille. The company raised €5 million in 2023 to finance its development. The Marseille data center covers 1,700 m² with 1.2 MW of power. Compliant with the Tier III standard, it will combine reliability and energy efficiency. It will be able to achieve a PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.2 and will comply with the upcoming eco-efficiency standards soon to be imposed on the sector. PHOCEA DC's hosting services are intended for local and national players: local authorities, businesses, telecom operators and managed service providers.
https://www.phocea-dc.com/
About Schneider Electric
Schneider's purpose is to empower all to make the most of their energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this ambition: Life is On.
Our mission is to be our customers' digital partner for sustainability and efficiency.
We drive digital transformation by integrating the most advanced energy and automation technologies. We connect products, control platforms, software and services, all the way to the cloud, across the entire lifecycle of your operations, enabling integrated management of homes, commercial buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.
We are the most local of global companies. We advocate open standards and bring together, around our mission, an ecosystem of partners united by our values of responsibility and inclusion.
